- [I] thank you.
- [I] pray do not [you] move.
- [You] pass me that book.
- Her hair is light, her eyes [are] dark blue.
- Some of the strangers spoke French, others [spoke] Spanish.
- Some of the patriots were armed with old flintlocks, others [were armed] with swords, still others [were armed] with pitchforks.
- When [he was] a youth, he travelled in the East.
- Though [he is] timid, he is no coward.
- They were amused, though [they were] somewhat vexed.
- While [we were] drifting downstream, we grounded on a sand bar.
- If [it is] possible, send me word to-night.
- You shall have the money this week, if [it is] necessary.
- They marched slowly as if [they were] worn out.
- Why [are] these tears?
- Why [are you] so dejected?
- He was ten years of age, his brother [was] eight [years of age].
- I have more confidence in James than [I have] in Edmund.
- Mary is younger than George [is young].
- Tom likes you better than [he likes] me.
- You like him better than I do [like him].
- I like him better than Charles does [like him].
- This racket is not so heavy as that [is heavy].
- You are not so old as I [am old].
- Peace [be] to his memory!
- This is the only pencil [that] I have.
- Is that the boy [whom] you hired yesterday?
- They say [that] you are going to Europe soon.
529. The examples in [§ 528] show that most cases of ellipsis fall under two heads:
1. To avoid repetition, words are often omitted in one part of the sentence when they occur in another part.
2. Pronouns, the conjunction that, and some forms of the verb is, are often omitted when they are readily supplied.
Under the second head come (1) the ellipsis of the subject (thou or you) in imperative sentences ([§ 268]), (2) that of relative pronouns in the objective case ([§ 151]), (3) that of is, are, etc. (with the subject pronoun) in subordinate clauses introduced by when, though, if, and the like ([§§ 397], [399], [417]).
Note. The so-called “telegraphic style” omits I with any verb or with all verbs. It should be confined to telegrams, where space is money.
530. Adverbs indicating direction (like forward, back) are often used without a verb in imperative sentences.
- Forward, brave companions!
- Down on your knees!
- Up, guards, and at them!
Note. In older English, the omission of the verb of motion was common, even in sentences not imperative, as in the following examples from Julius Cæsar:—“We’ll along ourselves, and meet them”; “Shall we on, and not depend on you?”
531. The ellipsis of the subordinate conjunction that is very common, especially in indirect discourse ([§§ 388], [433]).